1995 World Series Ring - Atlanta Braves This oversized ring, similar to the one given to the team following the 1995 championship - is located outside Truist Park. The Braves are not my team. However, they are the closest team and 1995 was the year I graduated high school. Many of my friends we're happy.
Nashville Predators Pekka Rinne Statue Goalie Pekka Rinne helped lead the Nashville Predators to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2017. As one of the best players in franchise history, the team unveiled a statue of his likeness outside their home ice in 2023. One of my favorite touches of this bronze statue by Scott Wise is the Preds logo he stands on. It's the shape of a guitar pick with the Tennessee three star design and the letters NP en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekka_Rinne www.newschannel5.com/news/meet-the-man-behind-the-pekka-r...
"The Judges Court" - Stan Gill The man depicted on this statue is J. Stanley Gill. As a retired judge, he worked as a youth golf instructor. This statue is located at Little Course at Conner Lane, which is located along US31 on the north side of Franklin. Stan Gill is also the father of Country Music star Vince Gill. He is wearing a hat which says "Vinny" as Vince Gill's Vinny Invitational was held at this course.
Eastridge Lanes - Route 66 - Amarillo, TX Located on E. Amarillo Blvd (Route 66) on the east side of Amarillo
UT Bridge - New Market, TN This railroad bridge in New Market, TN has been given a recent repaint with UT colors. New Market is a small city to the east of Knoxville. Here, two train tracks cross over Mill Springs Rd.
Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez Statue - Arlington, TX www.mlb.com/news/pudge-rodriguez-statue-unveiled-at-new-b... Located at the home plate entrance at Globe Life Field, home of baseball's Texas Rangers Rodriguez commissioned the 7 foot tall statue while still playing but had it relocated here when the stadium was completed in 2020.
Globe Life Field - Home of the Texas Rangers Globe Life Field is the home of baseball's Texas Rangers in Arlington, TX. This retractable-roof stadium is the site of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and the 2023 World Series. On this specific day, the Rangers had a sell-out as they faced their World Series opponent, the Arizona Diamondbacks. At this specific moment, near dusk, the Rangers had just taken the lead following a Corey Seager Home Run. If you zoom in onto the scoreboard, they have a promotion for a free taco after scoring in that inning. Also, smoke from fireworks following that home run is visible above and to the left of the scoreboard.
Clay Co. Pioneers Reunion and Rodeo Mural This fading mural is in Henrietta, TX along the town square. I suppose those are cattle brandings along the perimeter. The three white spots are part of the mural - I guess they've been removed.
Greetings from Nashville Sounds Greetings from First Horizon Park, Home of the Nashville Sounds. This mural is at the Ballpark and features several scenes of Nashville baseball history. At the far left is the original iconic Sounds logo of a ballplayer swinging a guitar. N features the entrance to Sulphur Dell, which was the Nashville Ballpark for about a century, and was very close to here. A features Greer Stadium, where the Sounds played more recently. flic.kr/p/fXeDw S is Don Mattingly, the Yankees star, who played for the Sounds in their early days. H is for Skeeter Barnes, a long-time Sounds Fan Favorite in the 1980s. V is for the current First Horizon Park I is for Booster the mascot LL is for the Band Box section of the current park. E is for the Country Legends Race featuring oversized Reba McIntire, George Jones and Johnny Cash. flic.kr/p/XJnweD Mural by @BryanDeese.art
I Will Give My All For Tennessee Today! Barn This barn celebrating the UT Vols and their motto was found in Dickson County, TN. It's located along Hickman Road close to where it crosses I-840, but I've also geotagged it. This appears to be a fan barn and unaffiliated with the "Everywhere You Look, UT" barn painting program which seems to paint a barn in every Tennessee County.
1996 Olympic Yachting Cauldron - Savannah, GA Text of the marker: This cauldron was lit with the original Olympic flame from Olympia, Greece at the Savannah Opening Ceremony, July 20, 1996, and burned throughout the Centennial Olympic Games in Savannah, Georgia, site of the Olympic Yachting events. The five fluted columns on round bases represent the five Olympic rings and the fluted slice of a classic column symbolizes the Olympic Greek heritage. The six sails represent the Olympic yachting events and the copper flame replaces the billowing real flame
Founders Square Murals - Hopkinsville, KY These Founders Square murals are located on the northwest corner of Ninth and Main streets in historic downtown Hopkinsville. It was a four-year painting project, which depicts the personalities, institutions, businesses, architecture, and other aspects of the community from 1800 to 1950. Murals of note: The rectangle in the middle is for famous Clairvoyant Edgar Cayce. His day job was as a Photographer. I presume Gordon Cayce was related, and ran an Antiques and imports business. The minor league baseball team Hopkinsville Hoppers is on the far right. I believe Class D was the lowest level of the minors and has been gone for decades. They played at Mercer Park and Kentucky Park from 1903-1954. Ned Turner is the inventor of the "Waist Suspenders" which must not be the same as regular Suspenders.
Tejas Archery Warrior Statue - Dallas, TX This statue is located above the Hall of State at Dallas's Fair Park. Today, this building is home to the Dallas Historical Society. Here's their description: This design reflects Art Deco’s interest in celebrating native cultures and the iconography of non-Western art. The originators of Art Deco were initially inspired by the discovery of the pharaoh Tutkanhamun’s tomb in 1922, and the resulting surge of interest in Egyptian art. As the style developed, it incorporated African, Incan, Mayan, and other native and tribal forms into its visual vocabulary. The statue above the entrance is the figure of a Tejas warrior, a member of the Native American tribe for which Texas is named. The use of symbolism is common in Deco ornamentation, as we see at work in the building’s entrance. The warrior’s bow, upraised but without an arrow, symbolizes peace. The field of blue mosaic tile work behind him represents the flower of the state of Texas, the bluebonnet (Page 7) www.dallashistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/art-deco...
Tom Vandergriff Statue - Arlington, TX My team, the Texas Rangers, finally won a championship. Outside Globe Life Field is this statue to Mayor Vandergriff who helped bring the Washington Senators to Texas before the 1972 season.
Globe Life Field Glove Statue Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX is the home of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team. Since they're my team, I'm glad they are going to host playoff games in 2023. This photo was taken in the summer of 2021 when they were among the worst teams, so I'm glad they've turned things around quickly.
Route 66 Bowl - Chandler, OK This bowling establishment is located along Route 66. They have a nice sign and if you stop and drive through the parking lot, they have many gas station signs like the Texaco in the background. On the inside, there is more Route 66 and vintage sign theming.
Sporting Goods neon sign - Shelbyville, TN I don't know the history of this sign, but it's not original to this location. It was installed circa 2019 at a sports collectibles store. It's about 2 blocks east of the Shelbyville square along Depot St. (TN130)
Shannon Stone and son statue This statue in front of former Texas Rangers stadium Globe Life Park (then called The Ballpark in Arlington) honors local firefighter Shannon Stone. In 2011, as the two were at a game, Mr. Stone fell from the outfield stands and sustained a fatal brain injury. abcnews.go.com/Health/texas-baseball-fan-shannon-stone-as... In the background is a plaque to former team President Tom Schieffer.
Johnny Bench Statue - OKC This statue for all-time great catcher and hall of famer Johnny Bench is outside of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. This area of the grounds is known as Johnny Bench Plaza. Bench grew up a couple of counties away in Binger, OK where there is a small museum about him today. This ballpark also features a Mickey Mantle statue, busts of other local baseball greats, and a Jim Thorpe statue and museum down the block.
Mickey Mantle Statue - Commerce, OK Mickey Mantle was from Commerce, OK and his town dedicated this statue and the baseball field next door to him. This statue also faces Route 66. As an all-time great, his jersey number of 7 is retired by the New York Yankees. This side calls him a great teammate and the other referenced his local nickname of "Commerce Comet." His name is etched into the base to look like a typewriter. If you visit the area, also check out his boyhood home: flic.kr/p/2nEqZaP There's another statue of him in front of the OKC Bricktown Ballpark: flic.kr/p/2nDto7N
Allie Reynolds Sculpture - OKC Bricktown Ballpark In front of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is a group of seven statues featuring famous baseball player from Oklahoma. (the two most famous from the state are Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench who have life-sized statues outside the stadium while these are smaller busts.) Artist is: Shan Gray
Bobby Murcer Sculpture - OKC Bricktown Ballpark In front of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is a group of seven statues featuring famous baseball player from Oklahoma. (the two most famous from the state are Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench who have life-sized statues outside the stadium while these are smaller busts.) Artist is: John Gooden www.artaroundokc.com/public-art/bobby-murcer/
Pepper Martin Sculpture - OKC Bricktown Ballpark In front of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is a group of seven statues featuring famous baseball player from Oklahoma. (the two most famous from the state are Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench who have life-sized statues outside the stadium while these are smaller busts.) Artist is: Shan Gray
Carl Hubbell Sculpture - OKC Bricktown Ballpark In front of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is a group of seven statues featuring famous baseball player from Oklahoma. (the two most famous from the state are Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench who have life-sized statues outside the stadium while these are smaller busts.) Artist is: Jay O'Meilia www.artaroundokc.com/public-art/carl-owen-hubbell/
Paul Waner Sculpture - OKC Bricktown Ballpark In front of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is a group of seven statues featuring famous baseball player from Oklahoma. (the two most famous from the state are Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench who have life-sized statues outside the stadium while these are smaller busts.) Artist is: Jim Franklin www.artaroundokc.com/public-art/paul-glee-waner/
Lloyd Waner Sculpture - OKC Bricktown Ballpark In front of Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is a group of seven statues featuring famous baseball player from Oklahoma. (the two most famous from the state are Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench who have life-sized statues outside the stadium while these are smaller busts.) Artist is: Jim Franklin www.artaroundokc.com/public-art/lloyd-james-waner/
Jesse Owens Museum building - Danville, AL This building is on the grounds of the Jesse Owens Museum in Danville, AL. No info was provided, so it may have been the original museum building on the early 1980s or a welcome center. It is also the closest building to the street where a more elaborate building has opened further to the left. My grandfather was a competitive jogger and athlete. He had huge admiration for Jesse Owens and everything he accomplished.
Cincinnati Skyline One of the best places to see the Cincinnati Skyline is across the Ohio River at the Devou Park Scenic Overlook in Covington, KY. On the bottom left is the Brent Spence Bridge which carries Interstates 71 and 75 over the river. The more prominent bridge is the C&O Railroad Bridge which is adjacent to the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge for cars. Behind that is Paul Brown Stadium, home of the NFL Bengals. Prominent Skyscrapers include the Carew Tower, 4th and Vine Tower (aka PNC Tower), Great American Tower and Scripps Canter.
The Ballpark in Arlington I'll always remember it as the Ballpark in Arlington, but today is officially called Globe Life Park. This is the former home of the Texas Rangers baseball team. The stadium has a lot of character but it also doesn't have a roof, so it gets too hot. This view is taken from the new Globe Life Field, the new home of the Texas Rangers. The Ballpark has now been updated to a soccer stadium.
See Rock City / Tennessee Titans Tough Barn #2 Note: I just uploaded a sun-on-the-wrong-side version of this barn on Sunday. On that day, I didn't know I'd be driving past it again three days later, but here we are... Rock City has recently repainted some barns along with a collaboration of the Tennessee Titans. I took this photo back in March but waited until the start of the NFL season. Rock City is one of the most famous companies to advertise by painting barns, but this is the first time I've seen any ad barns for a sports team. I've heard from some Rock City barn enthusiasts who don't like the new designs. I will give them a chance, although I'd also like them to try it on a new barn. This one is located on eastbound Interstate 24 about a mile past exit 155. It's at a spot where the east and west lanes split wide apart and it will be up the hill on the right. I saw it in the morning, so the sun will hit it better in the afternoon. Here is what this barn looked like 16 years ago after its last repaint: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/178743165/in/album-... Another one I photographed is nearby and also visible from Interstate 24. It's at about the same spot but on the right for westbound traffic. It's not visible at all for eastbound. I am told there is a third repainted one I haven't seen along US411 in Monroe County, TN between Madisonville and Englewood. This is now one of 93 different Rock City Barns I have photographed and uploaded to Flickr in my Rock City Barns set. I'm not sure it's possible for me to get to 100. People often ask me how I've found so many of them. I have drawn from many resources such as books and web sites and sometimes luck, but there's not really one "go to" place to find them all. Well, now on my website, I have tried to create a one stop source for the locations of all of the barns I've been to. On my Map of Rock City Barns page, I have plotted each barn on a Map.
Nolan Ryan Statue - Arlington, TX I first saw this statue when it was placed beyond center field inside The Ballpark in Arlington. As the Texas Rangers moved across the street to Globe Life Field, the team moved the statue outside the new stadium. It was sculpted by Antonio Tobias Mendez in 1997. There's more Nolan Ryan goodness inside the new stadium such as this life-sized bobblehead: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/51494841146/ or this tribute staircase: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/52060755043/ I've also seen his statue in his hometown of Alvin, TX: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/50336219522/
See Rock City / Tennessee Titans Tough Barn #2 Rock City has recently repainted some barns along with a collaboration of the Tennessee Titans. I took this photo back in March but waited until the start of the NFL season. Rock City is one of the most famous companies to advertise by painting barns, but this is the first time I've seen any ad barns for a sports team. I've heard from some Rock City barn enthusiasts who don't like the new designs. I will give them a chance, although I'd also like them to try it on a new barn. This one is located on eastbound Interstate 24 about a mile past exit 155. It's at a spot where the east and west lanes split wide apart and it will be up the hill on the right. I saw it in the morning, so the sun will hit it better in the afternoon. Here is what this barn looked like 16 years ago after its last repaint: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/178743165/in/album-... Another one I photographed is nearby and also visible from Interstate 24. It's at about the same spot but on the right for westbound traffic. It's not visible at all for eastbound. I am told there is a third repainted one I haven't seen along US411 in Monroe County, TN between Madisonville and Englewood. This is now one of 93 different Rock City Barns I have photographed and uploaded to Flickr in my Rock City Barns set. I'm not sure it's possible for me to get to 100. People often ask me how I've found so many of them. I have drawn from many resources such as books and web sites and sometimes luck, but there's not really one "go to" place to find them all. Well, now on my website, I have tried to create a one stop source for the locations of all of the barns I've been to. On my Map of Rock City Barns page, I have plotted each barn on a Map.
See Rock City / Tennessee Titans Barn #1 Rock City has recently repainted some barns along with a collaboration of the Tennessee Titans. I took this photo back in March but waited until the start of the NFL season. Rock City is one of the most famous companies to advertise by painting barns, but this is the first time I've seen any ad barns for a sports team. I've heard from some Rock City barn enthusiasts who don't like the new designs. I will give them a chance, although I'd also like them to try it on a new barn. This one is visible from westbound Interstate 24 about a mile after exit 158 in Marion County. However, you can get a better photo like this one by taking exit 158, then go west on the old highway until you can make a left on Shellmound Rd. Go in the morning for the sun to hit it like this. I am a little sad they painted over the old message which was unique for a Rock City Barn. It used to say "Goodbye and tell your friends about Rock City" since it faces travelers leaving the Chattanooga area. See the old design here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/5157879240/in/album... Another one I photographed is nearby and also visible from Interstate 24. When traveling eastbound, it's about a mile past exit 155 up the hill on the right. I am told there is a third repainted one I haven't seen along US411 in Monroe County, TN between Madisonville and Englewood. This is now one of 93 different Rock City Barns I have photographed and uploaded to Flickr in my Rock City Barns set. I'm not sure it's possible for me to get to 100. People often ask me how I've found so many of them. I have drawn from many resources such as books and web sites and sometimes luck, but there's not really one "go to" place to find them all. Well, now on my website, I have tried to create a one stop source for the locations of all of the barns I've been to. On my Map of Rock City Barns page, I have plotted each barn on a Map.
Going to the World Series This sculpture located outside of Globe Life Field, Home of the Texas Rangers baseball team celebrates one of the best moments in team history. In Game six of the American League Championship Series, pitcher Neftali Feliz struck out Yankees star Alex Rodriguez to end the game and propel the Rangers to their first World Series appearance. Right after the final out, catcher Bengie Molina celebrated with Feliz to create the iconic moment. This moment happened at the previous stadium Globe Life Park which can be seen in the background, and I took this picture from this angle for that reason. The sculptor was Harry Weber and was commissioned by the city of Arlington with a dedication on August 7, 2018.
Tomato Bike Rack - Nashville, TN If you were to visit the Nashville Farmer's Market, it would make sense to lock your bike to giant tomato slices. To the right are more bike spots which resemble corn stalks. "Corn and Tomato" was designed by Dan Goostree and Paige Easter and placed in 2010
Boyhood Home of Mickey Mantle - Commerce, OK You can see my video of the home and nearby statue here: youtu.be/Wj3czcclm0A Text of the historic marker to the left of the door: Boyhood Home of Mickey Mantle (Where Mickey Learned to Play the Game) 319 South Quincy Street When Mickey was 3 years old his family moved to this location. At the age of 5 or 6 his father started teaching him to hit, they used the tin barn as their backstop. Mutt, his father, would pitch righty and Mickey's grandfather would pitch lefty while teaching him the fine art of switch-hitting. Everyday when his father returned home from the mines he and Mickey would start batting practice that lasted until dark. They made up games to add some fun to Mickey's batting lessons. A ball hit below the windows was a single, above the windows a double, the roof a triple and over the house was a home run. Mickey once said, "I was the only kid in town that didn't get in trouble for breaking a window." Mutt's dream and Mickey's hard work took him from the lead and zinc mining district in Oklahoma to the skyscrapers and bright lights of New York City. Mickey, "The Commerce Comet," blasted onto the national scene in the 1950's to become A Great American Icon. He entertained the world with his boyish Oklahoma charm and his amazing Paul Bunyan-like heroics. His tremendous popularity is what sparked the massive sports memorabilia industry that continues to flourish today. Home restoration Circa 1938 Mickey was 7 years old
Mickey Mantle Statue - Oklahoma City Mickey Mantle grew up in the small town of Commerce, OK. He is honored with this statue and plaza at Bricktown Ballpark, home of the Oklahoma City Redhawks. In addition to Mantle, nearby there's also a statue for Johnny Bench, busts of several other older baseball stars, and Jim Thorpe. I also saw a statue for Mantle plus his childhood home in his hometown of Commerce.
Nolan Ryan Tribute - Globe Life Field Globe Life Field is the new home of the Texas Rangers baseball team. On the left, above the stairs and escalator is artwork depicting Nolan in the windup made of baseballs and surrounded by bats. Below that is pictures of 4 different stages of Ryan's delivery in front of the number 5,000 - signifying him as MLB's only pitcher to reach that strikeout milestone. If you were to walk the stairs, the non-visible wall has the names of all of the players who were struck out by Ryan in his big league career. Also at the bottom of the stairs is this life-sized Ryan bobblehead: flic.kr/p/2msqwdJ
Spokes - Cookeville, TN Spokes is the name of this artwork arch of different kinds of Bicycles. It is located in Cookeville's Depot District and highlights the start of a new bicycle path through town. At night, the bottom of the arch has color changing LED lights.
Texas Rangers life-sized Bobbleheads With baseball season soon approaching, here is one of my favorite features of Globe Life Field where the Texas Rangers Play. Beyond left field are life-sized bobbleheads of three all-time Rangers greats: Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Third Baseman Adrian Beltre and Shortstop Michael Young. Also in the stadium is this one of Nolan Ryan: flic.kr/p/2msqwdJ
Wooden's Legacy statue - Indianapolis John Wooden is one of College Basketball's most famous coaches and was born in Indiana. This statue unveiled on March 10, 2012 was sculpted by Jeffrey Rouse and depicts Wooden in a game huddle surrounded by five pairs of disembodied legs. Presumable, this was done to make Wooden the star of the statue with the players anonymous. However, it's easy to not take it as serious as the artist intended. Some people call it the Coach of the Christmas Story Lamps.
Cotton Bowl The Cotton Bowl is a stadium at Fair Park in Dallas which for many decades hosted the Cotton Bowl game, one of the top college football bowl games every year. The stadium opened in 1930 as Fair Park Stadium. On January 1, 1937 it hosted the first Cotton Bowl game. The game was held at this site every year through 2009. It was the home to the Dallas Cowboys from 1960-71. Every year, the stadium is also home to the Red River Shootout, between college football rivals Oklahoma and Texas. It's a somewhat neutral location as it's about halfway between the two schools. Of everything it's been, this is probably the most important to me. My dad grew up in Dallas, but got his graduate degree at Oklahoma, where he was a leader in the marching band in the late 1960s.
Bear Trace at Tim's Ford Bear Trace is a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course at Tim's Ford State Park. The entrance is guarded by this chainsaw carved Grizzly Bear.
Secretariat's Horse Shoes - Paris, KY Several prominent race horses have come from Bourbon County, KY. Perhaps the most famous race horse of all time is Secretariat which was the Triple Crown winner in 1973 from nearby Claiborne Farm. Secretariat and other prominent horses have been memorialized this way in the sidewalk around the Bourbon County Courthouse in Paris, KY.
Nolan Ryan life-sized Bobblehead One of the features of the new Texas Rangers stadium, Globe Life Field, are life-sized bobbleheads of some of the all-time Ranger greats. Since Nolan is a cowboy in the off-season, his likeness is often depicted with a Wild West motif. The fastball is Nolan's weapon of choice, and even has a couple more in holsters.
It is Baseball Time in Texas clock This is a new clock for Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team. However, the clock was made to look old. The T logo, baseball with a cowboy hat, and typeface are all throwback designs from the earliest Rangers teams starting in 1972. To give it an well-worn look, faded color, rust spots and small holes were fabricated during production. Long time Rangers P.A. announcer Chuck Morgan uses the phrase "It is Baseball time in Texas" before every game. The clock is not visible from the playing surface, but is instead visible from the main level concourse on the center field side.
Neon Golfer - American Sign Museum This neon golfer is on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati representing the Plastic Era of signs from 1950-1970. Here is their description: An excellent example of a sign bridging the Neon and Plastic eras by incorporating both type of illumination: backlit plastic and exposed neon. Sign originally identified a short nine-hole golf course at a former Rochester, NY amusement park. It originally was mounted on a pole and rotated: Unfortunately, the back half of the plastic golf ball was missing when the sign was purchased.
Gallatin Vs. Union Mural - Gallatin, TN This new mural from Bryan Drese is located in Gallatin. The full significance of this game can be read at this link: www.gallatintn.gov/1901/Downtown-Murals Here's an excerpt: The teams’ two captains Eddie Sherlin (Gallatin) and Bill Ligon had been friends since early childhood. For some Gallatin residents the game symbolized long racial struggles held for generations. For many, however, the game symbolized a new way forward. This was especially true with the two friends who played against each other that night. After the game they embraced on court. Both players went on to receive all tournament awards. Note: I took the photo at an awkward angle because of a car parked in front of it.
Cincinnati Reds Statue of Liberty and Big Apple These two Cincinnati Reds decorated New York City items appear at Great American Ballpark. The Big Apple has a logo for the 2013 All Star Game hosted by the New York Mets, but is decorated with the Cincinnati riverboat smokestacks. The Statue of Liberty is decorated with a Mr. Redlegs mascot. Please let me know if you can provide any context to these two items. Photo taken 2019.
2019 Reds Opening Day - 1957 GM Bus In a Pre-Covid world, the Cincinnati Reds had arguably the best opening day traditions of any MLB team. Part of that tradition is the Findlay Market Parade before the day game. In 2019, I was able to attend these festivities. It was the 150th season of the Reds and the 100th year of the parade. I didn't get home for another week, and I felt it was too late to share any photos; I'd save them for next year. The next year came and there were no fans or parade for the shortened season. This year, some fans can return, but there's still no parade. Yet, if I don't upload some photos now, I might never get around to it. In this photo, one parade entry was a 1957 GM Transit bus #359. This is part of the fleet owned by the Cincinnati Transit Historical Association. The listed destination is Crosley Field, which was the home of the reds back then
2019 Reds Opening Day - Mascot likeness In a Pre-Covid world, the Cincinnati Reds had arguably the best opening day traditions of any MLB team. Part of that tradition is the Findlay Market Parade before the day game. In 2019, I was able to attend these festivities. It was the 150th season of the Reds and the 100th year of the parade. I didn't get home for another week, and I felt it was too late to share any photos; I'd save them for next year. The next year came and there were no fans or parade for the shortened season. This year, some fans can return, but there's still no parade. Yet, if I don't upload some photos now, I might never get around to it. In this photo, we see a float where the sponsors created their own representation of the Mr. Redlegs mascot, complete with a full mustache, head made of a baseball and pillbox style baseball cap.
2019 Reds Opening Day - Twister In a Pre-Covid world, the Cincinnati Reds had arguably the best opening day traditions of any MLB team. Part of that tradition is the Findlay Market Parade before the day game. In 2019, I was able to attend these festivities. It was the 150th season of the Reds and the 100th year of the parade. I didn't get home for another week, and I felt it was too late to share any photos; I'd save them for next year. The next year came and there were no fans or parade for the shortened season. This year, some fans can return, but there's still no parade. Yet, if I don't upload some photos now, I might never get around to it. In this photo, we have Twister, the mascot of the Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL hockey team. It's a nice touch how he's missing a tooth.
2019 Reds Opening Day - Mr. Redlegs In a Pre-Covid world, the Cincinnati Reds had arguably the best opening day traditions of any MLB team. Part of that tradition is the Findlay Market Parade before the day game. In 2019, I was able to attend these festivities. It was the 150th season of the Reds and the 100th year of the parade. I didn't get home for another week, and I felt it was too late to share any photos; I'd save them for next year. The next year came and there were no fans or parade for the shortened season. This year, some fans can return, but there's still no parade. Yet, if I don't upload some photos now, I might never get around to it. In this photo, we have a parade float with one of the Reds' mascots, Mr. Redlegs. This mascot with the mustache and vintage uniform style is a throwback to the team's early days. I like this mascot, but I think if you stare at him long enough, he'll eat your soul.
2019 Reds Opening Day Parade - Johnny Bench In a Pre-Covid world, the Cincinnati Reds had arguably the best opening day traditions of any MLB team. Part of that tradition is the Findlay Market Parade before the day game. In 2019, I was able to attend these festivities. It was the 150th season of the Reds and the 100th year of the parade. I didn't get home for another week, and I felt it was too late to share any photos; I'd save them for next year. The next year came and there were no fans or parade for the shortened season. This year, some fans can return, but there's still no parade. Yet, if I don't upload some photos now, I might never get around to it. In this photo, the start of the car had Reds legend Johnny Bench who was listed as the Parade Ambassador. Also pictured is Rob Manfred as Grand Marshall.
2019 Reds Opening Day - Johnny Bench In a Pre-Covid world, the Cincinnati Reds had arguably the best opening day traditions of any MLB team. Part of that tradition is the Findlay Market Parade before the day game. In 2019, I was able to attend these festivities. It was the 150th season of the Reds and the 100th year of the parade. I didn't get home for another week, and I felt it was too late to share any photos; I'd save them for next year. The next year came and there were no fans or parade for the shortened season. This year, some fans can return, but there's still no parade. Yet, if I don't upload some photos now, I might never get around to it. In this photo, We have Reds Legend Catcher Johnny Bench who was on field to catch the ceremonial first pitch. Next is Commissioner Rob Manfred, who was booed by the crowd as if he is personally responsible for keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame. The Food Basket is a gift to then new manager David Bell from Findlay Market owners.
Houston Astros Home Run Train With fans returning to games this week for MLB Opening Day, this photo was taken at the last MLB game I attended in 2019. Quick notes about this train: It's a 15 foot high and 56 foot long replica of a 1862 steam locomotive built by SMI & Hydraulics of Porter, MN. Every time an Astro hits a home run, it travels down the tracks at 2.5 MPH and then backs up to where it started. When Minute Maid bought the stadium naming rights, it began to haul replica oranges. It has been driven by Bobby "Dynamite" Vasquez who has done this since the ballpark's 2nd season in 2001. It's 90 feet above the playing surface in left field. Before the stadium could be constructed, as buildings were torn down in downtown Houston, the old train station was preserved to be part of the stadium as a gift shop.
Asia (TN) Community School This building certainly needs repair. After it was no longer a school, it was converted to a basketball gym. Portions of the roof and the floor have fallen in. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_School Asia School is a former segregated school for African Americans in the Asia community of Franklin County, TN. For many years, the Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church operated a black school on the Asia School site. In 1940, the church transferred the property to Franklin County, which assumed responsibility for the school. The current school building is a concrete-block structure that was completed around 1952. It was operated as a county public school for African-American children until 1961, when the county closed the school and returned the property to the church. Four years after Asia School closed, Franklin County integrated its public schools. Asia School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011 for its significance as an example of a 20th-century African-American school in rural Tennessee. For more info: web.archive.org/web/20111015093515/http://www.tn.gov/envi...
Inflatable MTSU Blue Raiders helmet This is in Murfreesboro at the recently rebuilt major intersection of US70S/US41 and US231.
Nolan Ryan Statue - Alvin, TX When I started watching baseball as a child, Nolan Ryan was my favorite player. He was the most sensational player for my favorite team, The Texas Rangers. I may not know where any of my other favorite players spent their childhood, but everyone knew Ryan grew up in Alvin. I was able to visit his hometown on a recent trip to Houston. The life-sized statue of Nolan Ryan was sculpted by Jack Bryan of Bryan Art Foundry of Azle, TX. It is located outside of the Alvin Historical Museum which served as the Alvin Post Office from 1940 to 1986. I really like the detail, from the Texas etched on the jersey all the way to the stirrup socks.
Nolan Ryan Plaque - Alvin, TX When I started watching baseball as a child, Nolan Ryan was my favorite player. He was the most sensational player for my favorite team, The Texas Rangers. I may not know where any of my other favorite players spent their childhood, but everyone knew Ryan grew up in Alvin. I was able to visit his hometown on a recent trip to Houston. The life-sized statue of Nolan Ryan was sculpted by Jack Bryan of Bryan Art Foundry of Azle, TX. It is located outside of the Alvin Historical Museum which served as the Alvin Post Office from 1940 to 1986. I really like the detail, from the Texas etched on the jersey all the way to the stirrup socks.
Cincinnati Avenue Grounds Baseball mural This modern mural is located on the grounds of the parking lot at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. It is the baseball stadium where the Cincinnati Reds played in 1876. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_Grounds The best I can tell, all of the various alcoholic beverages listed on the left are made up.
The Silver Boot Well, the Houston Astros came one game short of winning the World Series, but they did capture another trophy this year. Every year, the Silver Boot is given to the Texas team which wins more games in their head-to-head match-up. Houston won more games than the Texas Rangers in 2019, so they get to retain the Silver Boot which they also captured in 2018.
Craig Biggio statue - Minute Maid Park Outside of the Houston Astros stadium are statues for Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. The Hall of Fame duo were the backbone of the Astros for more than a decade earning the nickname of the Killer B's. The statues are along Crawford St., and are 90 feet apart, recreating a common sight - Biggio turning the pivot at 2nd base throwing to Bagwell at First. The Astros are not my team, but I did attend a game at Minute Maid Park this year, a season in which they made the World Series.
Jeff Bagwell statue - Minute Maid Park Outside of the Houston Astros stadium are statues for Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. The Hall of Fame duo were the backbone of the Astros for more than a decade earning the nickname of the Killer B's. The statues are along Crawford St., and are 90 feet apart, recreating a common sight - Biggio turning the pivot at 2nd base throwing to Bagwell at First. The Astros are not my team, but I did attend a game at Minute Maid Park this year, a season in which they made the World Series.
Peyton Manning "The Sherriff" As a Tennessean, may of my friend root for the Tennessee Titans to win. However, whenever the Titans would play Peyton Manning and the Colts, some fans didn't mind losing so much since they adore Manning for his role in bringing a national championship to UT. The statue of one of the best Quarterbacks in NFL history is outside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Houston Astros Mickey Mouse The Houston Astros are in the 2019 World Series. This Mickey Mouse is on display inside Minute Maid Park and is not a commentary on how they have played in the first two games of the series. The Astros are not my team, but I did visit their stadium this year.
Jesse Owens Childhood Home (Replica) The Jesse Owens Museum in Oakville, AL is a tribute to the Olympic Track and Field great. He captured four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics shattering Hitler's Aryan supremacy theory. The museum pays tribute to his athletic and humanitarian achievements. Also on the grounds of the park are a bronze statue, 1936 Olympic torch replica, a broad jump pit where you can test your own ability, and the Gold Medal tree. This is a replica of the simple wooden house Jesse Owens lived in at the time of his birth. jesseowensmuseum.org/
Houston Astros Home Run Pump While the Astros are not my team, I did visit their stadium in 2019, a year they went to the World Series. Here is a feature I enjoyed, the Home Run Pump. It is fashioned after a vintage gas pump. Where the price would be, it displays a count of all of the home runs hit by the Astros in this ballpark, at 1851 on this day. The gas company has changed over the years, but today it is Phillips 66.
Replica 2017 Houston Astros World Series Ring As the 2019 MLB playoffs start this week, the Houston Astros are hoping for another World Series run like they had in 2017. Outside of Minute Maid Park is this replica 2017 Championship ring.
Minute Maid Park - Houston Astros As the 2019 MLB playoffs begin this week, here is a picture of Minute Maid Park I took earlier in the season.
Nolan Ryan - Houston Astros Hall of Fame Growing up, Nolan Ryan was my favorite athlete, although that was when he was a Texas Ranger from 1989-1993. The Houston Astros Hall of Fame is located inside Minute Maid Park beyond the left field seats.
Jesse Owens Museum replica Olympic Torch The Jesse Owens Museum in Oakville, AL is a tribute to the Olympic Track and Field great. He captured four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics shattering Hitler's Aryan supremacy theory. The museum pays tribute to his athletic and humanitarian achievements. Also on the grounds of the park are a replica of his birth home, a bronze statue, 1936 Olympic torch replica, a broad jump pit where you can test your own ability, and the Gold Medal tree.
Johnny Bench Statue There are statues for several Cincinnati Reds all-time greats outside of the Great American Ballpark.
Coca-Cola Cincinnati Reds 2019 In 2019, the Cincinnati Reds celebrated their 150th season of baseball. To honor this, Coca-Cola released two special designs. First is a tall can with the Reds 150th logo. Next is a baseball-shaped bottle.
Gilmore Bowling neon sign - Fairfield, OH Located along Dixie Highway (OH4) in Butler County
JW Marriott - Indianapolis In the week leading up to the 2018 Indianapolis 500, I attended a business conference at the JW Marriott.
Indy Car In the week leading up to the 2018 Indianapolis 500, I attended a business conference at the JW Marriott. This Indy car was also in the lobby.
Indianapolis 500 Festival sign This is located on the side of the Williams Randall Marketing building on the corner of Pennsylvania St. and Virginia St. in downtown Indianapolis. From Google street view, this was probably put up around 2016
Site of Crosley Field marker - Cincinnati The Cincinnati Reds played at Crosley Field until 1970. This marker is located where the right field of the ballpark used to be. Today, this is City Gospel Mission at the intersection of Findlay St. and Dalton Ave.
Lucas Oil Stadium Home of the Indianapolis Colts since 2008. In addition to a retractable roof, I think the interesting feature is a retractable wall facing downtown Indianapolis.
Skateland - Memphis, TN In my endeavor to photograph everything that catches my interest around the great state of Tennessee, I maintain a list of over a thousand points of interest I would like to photograph. I have spent several years cultivating this list and visit many every year, while adding just as many. Every so often I find something fantastic that wasn't on my list. This massive neon sign is one of them. I was passing through Memphis on my way to something else when I was getting hungry. I considered eating at the Panchos here - just as my family used to do quite often as we would pass through town. But I was in a hurry and looking for something quicker. My GPS told me to take White Station Rd. to get to my next destination. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a massive neon sign, but didn't get a good look at it. All I really saw were two red wings, so my first thought was it was a large neon Pegasus like the one which my dad told me lit up the Dallas skyline when he was a kid. You're probably more interested in the story of the sign than the story of me finding it, so this makes for a great read: www.memphisflyer.com/AskVanceBlog/archives/2009/07/19/ska...
Jesse Owens Olympic Champion Statue The Jesse Owens Museum in Oakville, AL is a tribute to the Olympic Track and Field great. He captured four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics shattering Hitler's Aryan supremacy theory. The museum pays tribute to his athletic and humanitarian achievements. Also on the grounds of the park are a replica of his birth home, a bronze statue, 1936 Olympic torch replica, a broad jump pit where you can test your own ability, and the Gold Medal tree. This statue by Branko Medenica was unveiled in 1996, timed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic torch could pass by during the ceremony. The Olympic rings represent a finish line that he is crossing but also represents many of the racial barriers he overcame. Learn more here: jesseowensmemorialpark.com/wordpress1/statue
Jesse Owens Olympic Champion Statue The Jesse Owens Museum in Oakville, AL is a tribute to the Olympic Track and Field great. He captured four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics shattering Hitler's Aryan supremacy theory. The museum pays tribute to his athletic and humanitarian achievements. Also on the grounds of the park are a replica of his birth home, a bronze statue, 1936 Olympic torch replica, a broad jump pit where you can test your own ability, and the Gold Medal tree. This statue by Branko Medenica was unveiled in 1996, timed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic torch could pass by during the ceremony. The Olympic rings represent a finish line that he is crossing but also represents many of the racial barriers he was able to overcome. Learn more here: jesseowensmemorialpark.com/wordpress1/statue
Goofy Golf neon sign - Ft. Walton, FL I think the old school minigolf courses are the best. This one is now sixty years old, opening in October 1958. Learn more at Roadside America: www.roadsideamerica.com/story/19405
Barbaro Memorial - Churchill Downs Museum Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby by 6 1/2 lengths but then shattered at the Preakness. His struggle was the focus of national attention. This bronze statue of Barbara and jockey Edgar Prado by local artist Alexa King was dedicated in 2009 in front of the Churchill Downs Museum. Barbaro's ashes are interred beneath the memorial. What makes this statue unusual is the way Barbaro appears to be midair with all four feet off the ground. The 1500 pound sculpture is attached to the horizontal bronze rail.
Churchill Downs trackside Unlike most professional sporting events, it's easy to get close to the action with horse racing. That's great for people like me who are more interested in taking pictures than in wagering.
Churchill Downs Twin Spires I believe the twin spires is the most distinctive feature of Churchill Downs. This view is taken from the 5th Floor Finish Line Balcony.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse - Indianapolis Home court of the Indiana Pacers en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankers_Life_Fieldhouse
Churchill Downs Paddock Perhaps it's the same way at most horse racing venues, but I was surprised at how close patrons at Churchill Downs can get to the race horses. I went to the paddock area between races and could see a few of the horses going back and forth. This photo was of course taken several hours before a race and my view was from the 5th floor Finish Line Balcony
Churchill Downs Race: Major Perfection crosses the finish line I recently had the opportunity to drive to Louisville and attend a Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs and see several races. Although the sun eventually came out, the track was sloppy (muddy) after a full day of rain. I was able to view races from both trackside as well as the Millionaires Row on the 4th floor. In this race, Major Perfection was the winner while Gabriel Saez was the jockey
Churchill Downs Race: Chase Greatness in a close win I recently had the opportunity to drive to Louisville and attend a Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs and see several races. Although the sun eventually came out, the track was sloppy (muddy) after a full day of rain. I was able to view races from both trackside as well as the Millionaires Row on the 4th floor. In this race, Chase Greatness with Robby Albarado narrowly defeats Carter Cat with Ricardo Santana, Jr.
Churchill Downs Race: Tiznoble wins I recently had the opportunity to drive to Louisville and attend a Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs and see several races. Although the sun eventually came out, the track was sloppy (muddy) after a full day of rain. I was able to view races from both trackside as well as the Millionaires Row on the 4th floor. In this race, Tiznoble was the winner with Julien Leparoux as jockey
Churchill Downs Race: Coming down the home stretch I recently had the opportunity to drive to Louisville and attend a Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs and see several races. Although the sun eventually came out, the track was sloppy (muddy) after a full day of rain. I was able to view races from both trackside as well as the Millionaires Row on the 4th floor.
Churchill Downs Race: Stylitude wins I recently had the opportunity to drive to Louisville and attend a Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs and see several races. Although the sun eventually came out, the track was sloppy (muddy) after a full day of rain. I was able to view races from both trackside as well as the Millionaires Row on the 4th floor. In this race, Stylitude wins with jockey Joesph Rocco, Jr.
Churchill Downs Race: Jockey Calvin Borel I recently had the opportunity to drive to Louisville and attend a Twilight Thursday at Churchill Downs and see several races. Although the sun eventually came out, the track was sloppy (muddy) after a full day of rain. I was able to view races from both trackside as well as the Millionaires Row on the 4th floor. In this race, Jockey Calvin Borel rode Berko. As jockey, Borel is a three time winner of the Kentucky Derby and has 5,000 wins in his career. He has over 1,000 wins at Churchill Downs, making him the 2nd all time winningest jockey there behind Pat Day. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Borel
Home of the World Championship Domino Tournament This mural by Wes Hardin is one of a series in downtown Andalusia, AL. Here is the text of the accompanying sign: This tournament began in 1976 as a bi-centennial project of the Andalusia Rotary Club and has been copyrighted as the official World Championship Domino Tournament. It is held annually at the Kiwanis Building the second week in July and has attracted players from all over the United States and some foreign countries. Since it began, more than $893,000 in money and prizes have been awarded from the proceeds of the tournament. Prizes are awarded to winners in the single and double competitions in three age divisions: adult, children and teenagers. In addition donations haven been made to Troy University and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, Camp ASCA for disabled children and adults, City and County School Systems, Babe Ruth World Series, and numerous other local organizations. Three of the many celebrities who have visited or participated in the tournament in the past are depicted in the mural. They are Coach Bear Bryant from the University of Alabama, Coach Doug Barfield from Auburn University and the comedian Jerry Clower. Overlooking the three is Dr. Charles Tomberlin, the Rotarian who had the original idea for the tournament.
Silver Creek Lanes neon sign - Sellersburg, IN Along US31 on the south side of Sellersburg.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo with flags is located in front of the speedway inside a new roundabout where 16th St and Crawfordsville Rd. meet. This photo was taken on the Thursday before the 2018 Indy 500, but I was not able to stay through the weekend for the race.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Gate 1 This photo was taken on the Thursday before the 2018 Indy 500, but I was not able to stay through the weekend for the race.
'67 Camaro SS - Indy 500 Official Pace Car Today is the going to be the 102nd Indianapolis 500 race. 51 years ago was the 51st Indy 500 and the pace car was a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS. I was in Indianapolis last week for a business trip and this classic car just happened to be a few feet from where I parked. Now, this is not the actual pace car, but one of a couple hundred replicas sold by Chevy at the time. Learn more: www.chevyhardcore.com/news/top-10-indy-500-chevy-pace-car...
Pop Geers Monument - Columbia, TN I'm not sure how many times I've driven along W. 7th St. in Columbia (US412), but it wasn't until this day that I noticed the tall obelisk in a park up the side of a hill. I've spent years combing through every brochure and tourist guide in Middle Tennessee, and can't recall ever reading of this place. This monument and the park on the side of Mt. Parnassus are dedicated to Edward "Pop" Geers. In the late 19th Century, Harness Racing reached its golden age and was one of the most popular spectator sports in the U.S. Pop Geers who lived and trained horses in Columbia was one of the most accomplished men in the sport. As a driver (harness racing has drivers, not jockeys) Geers recorded the first one mile race in under 2 minutes. He was killed in a race at the West Virginia State Fair in 1924. This monument was dedicated to the "Gentleman Racer from Tennessee" two years later. For more, see this youtube video: youtu.be/m3jMRD32R_Y
Olympic Torch Monument - Decatur, AL This commemorates when the torch of the Atlanta Olympics came through Decatur, AL on June 29, 1996. It is located at Founder's Park near the intersection of Bank St. and Church St.
Olympic Torch Plaque - Rome, GA This plaque and bas-relief etching features an Olympic torch in front of the Capitoline Wolf replica in Rome GA. The torch for the 100th Olympic games in Atlanta passed through Rome on July 16, 1996.
Bowling sign - Mt. Jackson, VA Seen along US11 in Mt. Jackson, VA is this old neon bowling pin sign. If this building really was a bowling alley, they didn't have many lanes, as it is a narrow building. Google maps says this is now Tiffany's Thrift Shop
2017 TN State Fair: Nashville Predators Balloon art One of the highlights of the 2017 Tennessee State Fair is Sam the Balloon Man. His featured balloon art was this 8 foot tall Nashville Predator. He is even able to get inside this and bounce around. Sam Cremeens recently made headlines with a similar balloon for the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs: www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2017/06/05/...
Legends of Country Music race It seems like these days many baseball teams have some type of mascot race between innings. I think it started with the Milwaukee Brewers and their Bratwurst races. Ever since the Nashville Sounds have played at First Tennessee park, they have the Legends of Country Music Race. Johnny Cash is out to an early lead, followed by George Jones, and finally Reba McEntire - who eventually wins the race on this day
Coach Ed Temple Statue - Nashville, TN Ed Temple was the long-time women's track coach at Tennessee State Univrsity and several times at Olympic games. Over the years, 13 of coach Temple's TSU Tigerbelles won Olympic gold medals, including Wilma Rudolph on the bottom left photo. The statue from sculptor Brian P. Hanlon was unveiled in 2015 and is next to the Nashville Sounds' First Tennessee Park. For the full story: www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2015/08/26/statue-amazing...
2017 Stanley Cup Finals puck The 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals is between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators. This souvenir puck was purchased at the Preds gift shop at Bridgestone Arena.
"Ground Ball" - Nashville, TN Ground Ball by Kristina Colucci is part of Metro Nashville's quest to turn bike parking into public art. In 2016, this was placed outside of First Tennessee Park where the Nashville Sounds play.
Preds Party in the Park 1 The city of Nashville and the Predators NHL Team hosted a viewing party for the first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals at Walk of Fame Park downtown. They showed the game on several large screens in the park and around Bridgestone Arena, but unless you got there early, it wasn't that good of a view. (You may be able to see the screen on the far right.) Tens of thousands of Preds fans showed up and they reached capacity about an hour before the game started. It took a while, but Smashville has turned into a real hockey town.
Preds Party in the Park 2 The city of Nashville and the Predators NHL Team hosted a viewing party for the first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals at Walk of Fame Park downtown. They showed the game on several large screens in the park and around Bridgestone Arena, but unless you got there early, it wasn't that good of a view. (You probably can't see the screen unless you look at this image full size.) Tens of thousands of Preds fans showed up and they reached capacity about an hour before the game started. It took a while, but Smashville has turned into a real hockey town.
Preds Party in the Park 3 The city of Nashville and the Predators NHL Team hosted a viewing party for the first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals at Walk of Fame Park downtown. They showed the game on several large screens in the park and around Bridgestone Arena, but unless you got there early, it wasn't that good of a view. Tens of thousands of Preds fans showed up and they reached capacity about an hour before the game started. It took a while, but Smashville has turned into a real hockey town. The dudes on the front row with the old-school goalie masks look intense.
Instrument of Crime: Throwing a Catfish on the Ice? The 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals is between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Perhaps the most discussed moments of game one in Pittsburgh is when a Nashville fan threw onto the ice a real catfish that he smuggled into the arena. That took some real effort and determination. Unless you have that level of dedication, you may be better off purchasing one of these in the Nashville gift shop for $10.
Nashville Predators Mascot Gnash Seen at Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals at the Preds Party in the Park.
National Corvette Museum: 1995 Indy 500 Pace Car The National Corvette Museum is located near the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, KY.
Large Bowling Pin - Lebanon, TN This oversized bowling pin is located at Pro Bowl West along Baddour Pkwy (US70) in Lebanon, TN.
Knoxville Cleaners Sign An old sign that used to be neon, and I would assume it used to be for a different business. Now it has been repainted to demonstrate their UT pride. Seen in South Knoxville along the Chapman Highway (US441),
Tennessee State University Olympic Plaza Statue Here is the Text of Tennessee State University's press release from 2005 when the Olympic Plaza was dedicated: NASHVILLE --- Tennessee State University track-and-field athletes have won more Olympic medals than most countries have won. Now, TSU is paying tribute to those athletes with a special event. TSU will have the dedication of its new Olympic Plaza on Saturday, May 28, at 10 a.m. The Olympic Plaza is located on the north end of the main campus, next to the Gentry Center. The dedication will be the official introduction of the Olympic Plaza to the public. TSU has a rich and storied tradition of Olympic history, producing 59 Olympic athletes, who have captured 17 gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals. The Olympic Plaza will be a symbol of the TSU Olympic tradition and a permanent tribute to legendary coach Ed Temple and the achievements of all TSU Olympians, including Wilma Rudolph, Ralph Boston, Wyomia Tyus, Edith McGuire Duvall, and Chandra Cheeseborough and, most recently, Paralympian Ryan Fann. The Olympian is an impressive structure that stands more than 46 feet tall. The plaza will be adorned with commemorative bricks bearing the names of all past TSU Olympians and will have space available for bricks for future Olympians from the university.
Nashville Sounds Guitar Scoreboard When the Nashville Sounds opened First Tennessee Park in 2015, they used one of the most popular features of Greer Stadium when the added a guitar shaped scoreboard. While everything at the new stadium is better, so is the scoreboard. For it's time, the Old Stadium's Guitar Scoreboard had a small video board, this one fills the main section. Another retained feature is the inning-by-inning score along the guitar's neck.
Site of Sulphur Dell - Nashville When the Nashville Sounds announced plans to build a new baseball stadium First Tennessee Park, they picked the site of Nashville first baseball stadium. Sulphur Dell was the site of baseball for nearly 100 years. For over 60 years, it was the home of the Nashville Vols minor league baseball team. Before the stadium permanently closed in 1963, it had been longest continually used site for baseball in America. This fact was even commemorated in the scaffolding sign outside the ballpark which can be seen in the photo at this link: www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/cb52b0c41f0ef904859ba2d0bce00055... At the new First Tennessee Park, which opened at the same site over 50 years later, they pay tribute to the site's history. This sign recreates the iconic sign of the original. It is located on the back of the green center field hitter's backdrop, so if you attend a game and walk all the way around the stadium, you can see this too.
I Believe in Smashville Based on the "I believe in Nashville" murals that are around town, this one is located at the Predators home ice of Bridgestone Arena (near the entrance that faces the Music City Center). Stanley Cup Playoffs start this week! It was painted by DCXV Industries who was also painted the other murals.
World's Largest Basketball - Knoxville Located atop the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Downtown Knoxville is this 30 foot tall, ten top Baden Basketball. Also, if you look closely, in the top right of the picture is part of the snow-covered Smoky Mountains. This view was taken from a parking garage downtown.
Nissan Stadium Home of the Tennessee Titans. The Titans Stadium formerly known as Adelphia Colosseum and LP Field is now going with Nissan as the top stadium sponsor for the past season.
2016 NHL All-Star Game Festivities: Zamboni The 2016 NHL All-Star Game weekend was held the last weekend in January 2016 in downtown Nashville, TN. The game was held at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators. As part of the weekend festivities, Fan Fair at the All-Star Winter Park was held at Walk of Fame Park. With the main stage set up to the Country Music Hall of fame, Winter Park included an outdoor ice skating rink, souvenir stands and vendor booths.
2016 NHL All-Star Game Festivities: Bridgestone Arena The 2016 NHL All-Star Game weekend was held the last weekend in January 2016 in downtown Nashville, TN. The game was held at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators. As part of the weekend festivities, Fan Fair at the All-Star Winter Park was held at Walk of Fame Park. With the main stage set up to the Country Music Hall of fame, Winter Park included an outdoor ice skating rink, souvenir stands and vendor booths.
2016 NHL All-Star Game Festivities: The Crowd The 2016 NHL All-Star Game weekend was held the last weekend in January 2016 in downtown Nashville, TN. The game was held at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators. As part of the weekend festivities, Fan Fair at the All-Star Winter Park was held at Walk of Fame Park. With the main stage set up to the Country Music Hall of fame, Winter Park included an outdoor ice skating rink, souvenir stands and vendor booths.
2016 NHL All-Star Game Festivities The 2016 NHL All-Star Game weekend was held the last weekend in January 2016 in downtown Nashville, TN. The game was held at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators. As part of the weekend festivities, Fan Fair at the All-Star Winter Park was held at Walk of Fame Park. With the main stage set up to the Country Music Hall of fame, Winter Park included an outdoor ice skating rink, souvenir stands and vendor booths.
Artisitc Bicycle Rack "The Riders" near LP Field The city of Nashville spent a couple of years making some interesting and artistic bicycle racks around town. This one is depicting the outline of four cyclists. It is located in the parking lot of LP Field (now Nissan Stadium) at the end of the East Bank side of the Shelby Street Bridge. Also of note is a second bicycle rack on the left. In the middle are the ornate stacked letters of NBC. This was the logo for the Nashville Bridge Company which was located here before the football Stadium. (The old Nashville Bridge company building is now used by the city for events and offices.)
Peoples on Beale St. sign Peoples is a Sports Bar located on Beale St. in Memphis. Their motto is "Home of the Hundred Year Old Brunswicks." (I had to look up what a Brunswick was. If you didn't know, it's a manufacturer of billiards tables." Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery
Peoples on Beale St. neon sign Peoples is a Sports Bar located on Beale St. in Memphis. Their motto is "Home of the Hundred Year Old Brunswicks." (I had to look up what a Brunswick was. If you didn't know, it's a manufacturer of billiards tables." Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery
Fisk University: Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery From the historic marker: This building, completed in 1889, was the first gymnasium at any predominantly black college in the United States. In 1949, it was rededicated as an art gallery and named in honor of Carl Van Vetchen, a New York Music Critic, author, photographer, and art collector who encouraged Georgia O'Keefe to donate to Fisk University part of the art collection of her late husband, Alfred Stieglitz. The building is undergoing renovations when I visited here in the Spring of 2015 and will reopen in 2016. The Gymnasium / Gallery is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the Fisk University Historic District.
The Memphis Pyramid Opening as the Great American Pyramid in 1991, the maligned Memphis landmark originally was a basketball arena. Once the Grizzlies moved to the FedExForum in 2004, the Pyramid set vacant for a decade as city planners and developers tried to figure out the best plans for the building. A few weeks ago, the Pyramid reopened as a Bass Pro Shops megastore and tourist attraction. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Pyramid This photo was taken a year and a half ago before the Bass Pro Shops logo adorned this face of the Pyramid. The flags in the foreground are located at Mud Island. I am at Tom Lee Park along the riverfront when I took this photo at daybreak. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-architecture/ These 7 Pieces Of Architectural Brilliance In Tennessee Could WOW Anyone or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/crazy-store/ The Crazy One-Of-A-Kind Store You’ll Only Find In Tennessee
Music City's Microphone Bike Rack Located along Nashville's Music Row, this public street art microphone doubles as a bicycle rack. “Microphone Rack” by Franne Lee, Keith Harmon and Mac Hill of Nashville, is located at the northeast corner of Demonbreun Street and Music Row. The rack, made of stainless steel in 2010, represents Nashville’s history as a communications, broadcasting and music center. My favorite detail is the audio jack that plugs into the ground.
Drink Coca-Cola in Bottles - Engel Stadium Dating back to the early 1930s, Engel Stadium is the historic stadium and longtime home of the Chattanooga Lookouts. (Today, it is the home stadium of UT-Chattanooga. At one time, it was the home of the state TSSAA baseball playoffs.) You can tell it is an old-timey stadium with the way the outfield slopes and the flagpole is in play I love the hand-painted Coca-Cola mural on the outfield wall. The mural is larger than it looks - check out the ladder in the bottom left corner of the image. The actual center field wall is the dark green wall on the right, but the coke mural is further from home plate and tougher to hit a home run over. Somewhere, I once heard it is 490 feet over the "In Bottles" and it looks like it's 20 feet tall. I can't find my source for this, but somewhere I read the only person to ever hit a home run over the sign was all-time great Harmon Killibrew
Old Gym - Vanderbilt University From Wikipedia: Old Gym is one of the surviving Victorian buildings that characterized the early style of the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville, TN. The Old Gym was originally a gymnasium, later served as the Fine Arts Building, and currently houses the university's admissions office. The gymnasium was completed in 1880 and featured an indoor running track and considerable gymnastic equipment. At the time, it was one of the best equipped gymnasiums in the southern United States. The exterior of the building remains fairly untouched while the interior space has been modified through the years and uses of the building. The Old Gym is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building consisted of a foundation of Tennessee limestone with a structure of wooden trusses and walls of natural finished red brick. The Mansard roof was covered with slate shingles. Some of the original gymnastic equipment included a leaping rig, a vaulting board, rowing machine, parallel bars, trapeze ropes, Indian clubs, dumb bells and a walnut chest expander. In 1962 the Old Gym was renovated and made into the Fine Arts Building by Warfield and Associates. The remodeling project included the removal of the second-floor running track and the addition of heating and cooling throughout the building.
Hopkinsville Hoppers mural In downtown Hopkinsville, along a large brick wall are several retro murals. This one is for the Hopkinsville Hoppers Class D league. (There are no longer B, C or D minor leagues anymore, but D leagues were the lowest of them all.) This team must have played at Mercer Park and Kentucky Park from 1903 to 1954
World's Largest Basketball Located atop the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Downtown Knoxville is this 30 foot tall, ten top Baden Basketball. Hello to anyone who saw this on Buzzfeed www.buzzfeed.com/mjkiebus/where-in-the-us-are-these-bizar...
Spin-a-pin Lanes neon sign - Springfield, TN Seen along US41/431
Coffee County Fair 2013: Bowling Pin Gourd This was the blue ribbon winner in the "Decorated Most Unusual" category.
Historic Engel Stadium sign Until a new stadium was built in 1999, the Chattanooga Lookouts played in one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the country, dating back to 1930. To me, one of the most notable features of the park was a Coca-Cola mural on the outfield wall in dead center field, which required a massive shot to hit one out over that wall. (I think I heard it was 490 feet.) According to legend, future Hall of Famer Harmon Killibrew was the only hitter to get one out over that wall. Below that wall was a sloped section with the name LOOKOUTS spelled out in flowers, and this slope was in play. The stadium stayed empty for a while, but recently a group has been formed to preserve the stadium. A couple of years ago, much of the outfield wall that runs along 3rd Ave was removed and you could see in from your car. Many of the baseball scenes from the Jackie Robinson movie "42" were filmed here in 2012. When I was in high school, our team came close to making the state tournament which was played here then (and maybe it still is). The stadium is also owned by the nearby University of Chattanooga.
Hurricane Bowl sign - Marion, VA Seen along US11
Atlanta's not-the-offical-Olympic-torch Everyone remembers the 1996 Olympics were in Atlanta. The Olympic Stadium is now Turner Field, home of the Braves. The official Olympic Torch Tower is just across the parking lot from Turner Field. And then, there's this. I just assumed this was also an Official Olympic Torch. So did my brother who took me to see this. I would also assume tens of thousands of motorists riding in the passenger seat of northbound traffic of Interstate 75 have photographed it with their smartphones. It's north of Downtown (I guess in Midtown) and really close to Georgia Tech. So, it's not the official Olympic torch. I did a bot of Internet searching to figure out the who, when and why of this structure, only to have no results. What I did see is that it used to be painted red until a year ago. Today, I had lunch with my best friend from high school who moved to Atlanta and he didn't know who made it either. If you know, please help me out. From here, my brother took me to see what I now know is the real one, but my picture didn't come out well.
Pine Bowl sign - Fultondale, AL Seen along US31 north of Birmingham
Cincinnati From Above #3: Paul Brown Stadium For those of us that have a greater love of photography than a fear of heights, there is a popular observation deck in downtown Cincinnati. Carew Tower is a 49 story, 574-foot skyscraper that was the tallest in town until 2010. For a couple of dollars, visitors can take an elevator up to about the 47th floor, then walk to anotehr elevator which goes the last part of the way where you can walk around the roof. From here, on a clear day you can see for miles. This series of 20 photos was taken in 2007 back when my camera had a 10X optical zoom. This foot ball stadium opened in 2000 and is home to NFL's Cincinnati Bengals en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Brown_Stadium
Mt. Olive, Home of Steve McNair I'm not sure how many Tennessee Titans fans there are that drive past this sign, but there was at least one on the day I went by. The sign is on US49 and Mt. Olive is a city in Covington County, MS between Jackson and Hattiesburg.
Welcome to Henning, Tennessee mural This mural must be several years old, so I will describe it the best I can. It's located on the side of a building in the small business district at the corner of Main St. and Haley St. Henning is best known for being the boyhood home of Alex Haley, author of Roots. The Roots logo is in the top right corner. Below that is "Home of Alex Haley" with his portrait almost completely faded. Below that is a copy of his book, along with several Emmy awards. Henning was also the home of Major League Baseball outfielder Jim Hickman. He spent six years of his thirteen year carrer playing for the Chicago Cubs, so Wrigley Field is pictured in the top left corner. Finally, Henning was also the home of Fred Montgomery. He was a close friend of Haley and also the first black mayor of Henning. Haley had started writing a book about Montgomery's life but it was unfinished when Haley died in 1992. Montgomery's life was instead recounted in the book Finding the Good by Lucas L. Johnson II.
Landmark roller skate Not really sure what purpose this serves, other than getting my attention. It would be neat to see this going down the street. Seen along US98 on the west side of Pensacola, FL at the Landmark Skate center.
Bristol, VA NASCAR Mural Bristol of course has it's own Nascer Race, but since the mural mentions the Daytona 500, I thought I'd upload it on the day of the Daytona 500. The mural features Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. The mural was painted in 2001, the year Earnhardt died. In the background, you may also notice a faded ad for Bristol Grocery Co., which is what this building used to be many years ago.
KFC YUM! Center This is Louisville's newest, biggest, and silliest-named concert and sports venue. It's located right on the Ohio river in downtown. The picture was taken across the river in a park that offers great skyline views of the city in Indiana. I do like the idea of having a Taco Bell in the arena, so it's got that going for it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC_Yum!_Center
Funtime Bowl Neon Sign Located on Commerce St, in Lewisburg, TN
2011 TN State Fair: Banana Derby Banana Derby is, in the vein of racing pigs, a dog race with the jockeys being Capuchin Monkeys. for more info on them, see www.bananaderby.com/ In addition to the few fair photos I have uploaded to flickr, I have many more which have been added to this gallery on the SeeMidTN.com website: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=nashville/2011-tn-s...
Adventure Golf: Sign with T-Rex and Jaws "Big Jim" Sidwell worked at his family's furniture business in Murfreesboro, TN. He was looking for an outlet for his creativity when he and his family visiited Goofy Golf on a vaction to Florida. In his backyard, he built a large dnosaur out of wood and wire mesh, and then another and another. In 1961, he opened Jolly Golf in Gatlinburg with many of his creations. He went on to build more mini golf parks in Daytona, Marietta and Lake of the Ozarks. When other attractions which also wanted his dinosaurs came calling, he started a fiberglass dinosaur factory in Murfreesboro. In the late 70's his tourist attraction vision expanded to a theme park in Pigeon Forge called Magic World. At the gateway of the smokies, tourist attractions come and go, but one of the Sidwell family's parks is still open. Pigeon Forge exploded in popularity once Gatlinburg couldn't expand anymore. Adventure Golf along US441 looks like it remains popular after all these years. It has a charm I like that many oif the newer large corporate parks don't have. There's a large Dinosaur by the entrance and a shark in the pond right by the 18h hole. Perhaps the most noticable thing is the oversized octopus in another pond and one of its many tentacles is raised up in the air!
The Car Part Vols Fan Family Seen along the main highway (Us441) in Sevierville, TN
Madison Bowling sign at Night Well, most of the neon works. Gallatin Pk. (US31E) in the Madison area of Nashville. 2016 Update: This property is now on the The Historic Nashville 2016 Nashville Nine: In the 1950s, the Crescent Amusement Company constructed three very similar bowling alleys in mid-century suburbs of Donelson, Inglewood, and Madison. Founded in Nashville around 1910 by Tony Sudekum (1879-1946), the Crescent Amusement Company operated movie theaters and other entertainment venues throughout Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Locally, the company operated the famous Hippodrome and Tennessee Theater on Church Street. The Donelson bowling alley remains in operation and owned by Crescent, but the other two have been closed. All three feature distinctive Mid-Century Modern-style architectural elements on their facades and the Donelson and Madison buildings retain their original distinctive neon signs. Members of the community are concerned that these landmarks will be demolished as part of commercial redevelopment projects.
World's Largest Bat - Louisville I'll admit, this isn't my best photo, as it's a drive-by and I'm in the passenger seat looking at something on the left. But, it's what I have for now until I can revisit Louisville. The World's Largest Bat is at the home of the world's most famous bat manufacturer, Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of the Louisville Slugger. They have been making bats from their downtown Louisville location since the late 1800s. The factory is also open to the public and tours are available. As a big baseball fan, I highly reccomend the museum and tour. (Plus, everyone on the tour gets a free mini-bat) The Louisville Slugger building is distinguished from nearby buildings by the 120 ft. tall bat leaning against it. Erected in 1995, the bat is 34 tons and made of hollow carbon steel, simulating a wooden bat used by Babe Ruth in the early 1920s. The handle of the World's Largest Bat pokes above the five-story brick edifice of the Slugger Museum. To the right, the next building over is the Kentucky Mirror and Glass building where it appears an oversized baseball is smashing through a large window.
2010 Lincoln Co. Fair Harness Racing The Lincoln County Fair is the only event in Tennessee where you can see harness racing. If you've never seen harness racing before, the big difference between this and the more common thoroughbred racing is the horse is harnessed to a two-wheeled cart (or sulky) carrying the driver. This event is under the oversight of the U.S. Trotting Association. I picked 10 of my favorite harness racing photos to put on flickr. You can see that set here: www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/2010harnessrac... If you'd like to see more, I've got another 90 photos on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=MidTN-Counties/linc...
2010 Lincoln Co. Fair: UT Vols Carousel The Carousel along the midway was designed with UT fans in mind, as this one horse was painted with the Vols colors The Lincoln County Fair in Fayetteville, TN is best known as the only place in Tennessee where you can see harness racing. There are quite a few other things to see. A few of my favorites are on flickr www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/2010lincolncof... The rest of my Lincoln County Fair photos can be seen on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=MidTN-Counties/linc...
2010 Lincoln Co. Fair: UT Raggedy Ann There was a UT Raggedy Andy right next to Ann, but the display was behind chicken wire, so the view of both of them together would not have come out too well. The Lincoln County Fair in Fayetteville, TN is best known as the only place in Tennessee where you can see harness racing. There are quite a few other things to see. A few of my favorites are on flickr www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/tags/2010lincolncof... The rest of my Lincoln County Fair photos can be seen on my website here: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=MidTN-Counties/linc...
Skyway Lanes sign US70 - New Johnsonville, TN
09 TN State Fair #177: Cloggers by the Purity Stage
Walter Nipper Sporting Goods neon sign Downtown Nashville - Jan, 2007 8th Ave. (US31/41/431) Recently, when I went through downtown, I noticed this sign had been taken down as Walter Nipper's has been closed for a little while. At the time I took the photo, I was never quite happy with it as most of the sign is in a shadow, but now I'll never get another chance to improve on it. Instead at the time, I uploaded a picture of just the Fish with Nashville on it. I suppose I feel like I'm in a hurry to find as many old time neon signs and Rock City Barns as you never know when they'll be gone.
09 TN State Fair #127: Frisbee Catching Stunt Dog
09 TN State Fair#121: Golf Club Bag Cake These people can make a cake look like anything! Seen at the 2009 Tennessee State Fair in the creative Arts building
Old Chattanooga Lookouts wall ad Chattanooga Lookouts Professional Baseball At Engel Stadium - Free Brochures - Reds AA Affilliate This sign doesn't appear to be that old, but the windows are newer than that and they haven't played at Engel Stadium since 1999. This building is across the street from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo station.
09 TN State Fair #88: Racing Pigs As part of Randall's Racing Pigs is a race of baby Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs
09 TN State Fair #66: Demolition Derby Before the State Fair, a demolition derby is something I had never seen or photographed. Sadly, that is still true. Due to a strange set of circumstances, "Pumpkin Patch" was the only entry of about 20 or so to make it.
09 TN State Fair #61: Racing Pigs With Randall's Racing pigs, everyone watches as #4 unfortunately comes in last.
Madison Bowling neon sign Gallatin Rd. (US31E) in the Madison area on Nashville 2016 Update: This property is now on the The Historic Nashville 2016 Nashville Nine: In the 1950s, the Crescent Amusement Company constructed three very similar bowling alleys in mid-century suburbs of Donelson, Inglewood, and Madison. Founded in Nashville around 1910 by Tony Sudekum (1879-1946), the Crescent Amusement Company operated movie theaters and other entertainment venues throughout Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Locally, the company operated the famous Hippodrome and Tennessee Theater on Church Street. The Donelson bowling alley remains in operation and owned by Crescent, but the other two have been closed. All three feature distinctive Mid-Century Modern-style architectural elements on their facades and the Donelson and Madison buildings retain their original distinctive neon signs. Members of the community are concerned that these landmarks will be demolished as part of commercial redevelopment projects.
Random Fair Photo: Jump Rope Team I am heading back to the Tennessee State Fair this year as their photographer. The fair starts today (September 11) and runs through Sept. 20. I have chosen to upload this photo, because although it didn't mark it as one of my "100 things to see" Favorites, it was still a photo that they liked and have used
Earl Webb marker Baseball Player Earl Webb, who has one of the baseball records that will be tough to break (the record for Doubles in a season), lived in Bon Air, TN. This sign is in Bon Air, in Easter White County along US70
Wilma Rudolph Statue Wilma Rudolph is perhaps Clarksville's most prominent citizen ever. Most people are familiar with her story, from growing up with Polio all the way to her multiple gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics. The City of Clarksville placed this bronze statue of Rudolph along the RiverWalk near the base of the pedestrian overpass. Many of you will even remember the famous photo of Rudolph crossing the finish line that this statue was adapted from.
What the Sounds are known for, part #2 The Nashville Sounds baseball team made national headlines a few years ago when they gave out Bible-character themed bobbleheads. The idea was the brainchild of a former college classmate of mine, Brent High in 2003 as part of "Faith Night" promotions. A couple of years later, High left the sounds to start Third Coast Sports, which now has taken the faith night concept to a bunch of places around the country. My first Bible-bobble was Jonah. This one is "Joseph the dreamer." While Jonah's gift of dream interperetation is not the best known thing about him, it does work as a promotional tie-in with Sweet Sleep, a charity which provides beds for the bed-less worldwide. Joseph is also crafted wearing his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Dreamheadband. By the way, I did some comparative pricing to find the street value of Sounds Bobbleheads: 2002 Sounds Don Mattingly Bobblehead - $75 2003-to-Current Any Sounds Bible-bobble - $2
100 Things to see at the fair #100: Randall's Racing Pigs I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. An advantage to spending 4 full days at the fair like I did is that you can see certain events at non-peak times. Every time I'd seen the pig races in the past, there was a huge crowd, but on this day, I was able to get right where I wanted to be. Unfortunately, right where I wanted to be was the wrong place because for the first time that I had seen, Randall made the track clockwise, whereas I was expecting it to be counterclockwise. I got some great shots of pig butts as they ran away from me. Lucky for me, with only 50 people in attendance, I could easily make it to the other side and setup for the shot I wanted the first time on the second race.
100 Things to see at the fair #90: Stunt Bike I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. This was part of the Keith King BMX stunt show
100 Things to see at the fair #73: jump rope team I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. The Hot Shots Jump Rope team did some pretty impressive things. Many of those things just don't look interesting as a photograph, so here's a pic of them all jumping at the same time Hello to anyone who found this photo here: bodyfitnessworkout.com/2010/04/24/how-to-jump-rope/
100 Things to see at the fair #69: National Diving Dogs I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. The National Diving Dogs is a travelling show sponsored by Purina and Oust. The "winner" dog is the one that can jump in the pool the farthest. In most cases the dog's owner tosses one of the dog's toys in the air, times with a running leap, the dog tries to get the toy midair. Those on the front row will get wet. Best I can recall, the winning dog from this show went 28 feet!
100 Things to see at the fair #60: bike flips I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. Many of the stuntbikers were able to go up the ramp into the air and do a flip, but only if you cheered really loud for them
100 Things to see at the fair #36: Keith King I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. Keith King is the leader of a touring BMX bike stunt show. While the other performers do airborne tricks, King specializes in flatland tricks.
Empty seats Another season of Nashville Sounds baseball has come to a close. Or, was this picture taken during a game? The Sounds unfortunately have one of the most outdated stadiums in all of AAA baseball. However, I can understand why Nashville doesn't want to use tax dollars to help pay for a new stadium on free city land.
RC Cola Dash Contestant 21 At the 2008 RC Cola and Moon Pie festival in Bell Buckle, TN, just as they have done in years past, some "Olympic" games were played. This contest was the RC Cola Dash. The "Dash" part is a little misleading as this was not a speed contest, but more focused on skill and accuracy. The Rules: Take an open but full RC Cola can and balance it on your head. If you can make it all the way to the finish line (about 20 feet away) without dropping it (or steadying it with your hand - which would be cheating) you go on to round two. In round two, you stack two RC cans on your head. 4 contestants made it past round two onto round 3 stacking 3 RC cans on their head! This boy was the third place finisher. To see more of my RC Cola and Moon Pie festival photos, check out my Bedford County Set, or to see a slideshow of the RC Cola dash, Click Here.
Moon Pie Toss Conestant A At the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, TN, each year they have a series of contests, or Olympic Games. The first contest is the Moon Pie Toss. The gentleman pictured above was one such participant in the fine sport of a Confection Distance Thrust.
Moon Pie Toss Contestant B At the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, TN, each year they have a series of contests, or Olympic Games. The first contest is the Moon Pie Toss. The gentleman pictured above was one such participant in the fine sport of a Confection Distance Thrust.
Winners! These are the 1st, second and third place winners from one of the Olympic games of the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival. The game was "How far can you throw a moon pie" The Blue Ribbon 1st place winner in the 80's-style cutoff shorts says he came all the way from St. Louis. That's real dedication to participate in a fine sport of confection distance thrust. I'm thinking he undergoes a highly regimented cross-training program for this sort of all year long. I think his throw went about 200 feet and would have gone further if it hadn't have hit a tree branch. The Red Ribbon 2nd place winner appears like he's trying to look like he's too cool for this. I asked MariLynn to describe the expression of the daughter of the third place yellow ribbon winner. She said "Been in the sun too long"
Ebonite's Galaxy lanes
S'DET Sporting goods Columbia, TN - The county courthouse is in the background as this is one of the streets that leads up to the town square
The High Dive The Jungle High Dive Show was one of the attractions at the 2006 Tennessee State Fair Hello to anyone who found this here: sparxoo.com/?p=537 Debt Financing: A Lesson From the High Dive
Stunt Bike 4 2007 TN State Fair - Keith King Stunt Bike show
Stunt Bike 6 2007 TN State Fair - Keith King Stunt Bike show
Stunt Bike 5 2007 TN State Fair - Keith King Stunt Bike show. You'll have to take my word for it that I didn't just turn this picture upside-down. :)
Stunt Bike 3 2007 TN State Fair - Keith King Stunt Bike show Hello to anyone who found this here: www.ks-cycling.com/blog/811/bilder-10-bmx-sprunge-die-den...
Stunt Bike 2 2007 TN State Fair - Keith King Stunt Bike show
Stunt Bike 2007 TN State Fair - Keith King Stunt Bike show Hello to anyone who saw this photo here: www.chrisgurney.ca/2010/06/03/be-awesome-at-being-a-ba/ How to Be Awesome At Being A BA and reposted here: blog.blueprintsys.com/Blog/bid/37078/How-to-Be-Awesome-At...
LP Field home of the Tennessee Titans. Picture was taken back in March when the Cumberland River was flooding a little bit. Part of Riverfront Park is underwater
Hermitage Lanes On Lebanon Rd. (US 70) in the Hermiatge area of Nashville
Donelson Bowl This photo has made explore, peaking at #384! 2016 Update: This property is now on the The Historic Nashville 2016 Nashville Nine: In the 1950s, the Crescent Amusement Company constructed three very similar bowling alleys in mid-century suburbs of Donelson, Inglewood, and Madison. Founded in Nashville around 1910 by Tony Sudekum (1879-1946), the Crescent Amusement Company operated movie theaters and other entertainment venues throughout Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Locally, the company operated the famous Hippodrome and Tennessee Theater on Church Street. The Donelson bowling alley remains in operation and owned by Crescent, but the other two have been closed. All three feature distinctive Mid-Century Modern-style architectural elements on their facades and the Donelson and Madison buildings retain their original distinctive neon signs. Members of the community are concerned that these landmarks will be demolished as part of commercial redevelopment projects.
Obligatory Flugtag picture This is the first time I have ever been able to describe a picture with the words: "paper raccoon tongue flapping in the wind" this aircraft is modeled after the Titans mascot, T-Rac. The pilot is the dude up top with the bullhorn. the craft gets all of it momentum from the 4 guys wearing cheerleader outfits and huge afros. for the worst and most expensive view of the event, you could have ridden the General Jackson in the background. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: nashvillest.com/2009/01/10/titans-and-ravens-and-nascar-o...
Reds Outfielder Adam Dunn makes a running catch it was the first batter of the game and it was right in front of me. It was the only time sitting in the cheap seats paid off. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.rbimagazine.com/2009/01/top-10-free-agents-your-team-... RBI Magazine: Top 10 Free Agents Your Team Doesn’t Have
Safe at Home Rangers catcher Adam Melhuise is safe from the tag of Reds catcher Javier Valentin. I am one of those people that will spend good money on a camera and not enough money to get from behind the foul ball netting
Allen Arena - Lipscomb University Bisons Nashville, TN - Atlantic Sun Conference
It's time for Minor League Baseball in Nashville! sources tell me that crawfish have really good split-fingered fastballs. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.sportsnetworker.com/2010/03/25/minor-league-teams-and... Minor League Teams and Social Media
Vintage 1970's Texas Rangers Bobblehead I can't wait for baseball season to start, but to help pass the time, I take photos like this. It's tough to tell from this photo, but the boy is wearing a cowboy hat and not a baseball cap.
Nashville Sporting Goods The Nashville Fish sign of Walter Nipper's Sporting Goods store. If you didn't notice, the A in Nashville fell off and is stuck to the S, where I made a note. I saw a picture of this sign in a book printed in 2001 and the A was in the same place. Wild speculation....98 Tornado did it? This picture was used on my blog here: brentkmoore.blogspot.com/2008/03/green-stuff-for-st-patri... And used on someone else's blog here: miniette.blogspot.com/2008/03/pack-cowboy-boots.html And then someone else's blog here: serenadeingreen.blogspot.com/2008/08/gone-not-fishin.html and someone else here: bookfool.com/blog/2009/07/14/moving-to-nashville/ or here: gregmeyer.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/on-being-out-of-office/ On being Out of Office As of 2010, this sign is gone. :(
Home of the Tennessee Titans or, I should say: the home of the weekly incredible comeback. or, perhaps I should say: The sign on Adelphia Coliseum. This was taken on a sunny friday. I wouldn't be within 5 miles of the stadium on gameday. I'll admit I had never heard of Louisiana Pacific when it was announced they bought the naming rights. My first thought was why would an out-of-state company buy the naming rights. Then I realized that they were a local company, despite Nashville being neither in Louisiana or near the Pacific. I guess I haven't been looking for homebuilding products lately. If you weren't sure, the sign is flat, but painted to look 3D.
Bruce Matthews sign at LP Field at gate 9
Thomas Vokoun Predators sign, Gaylord Entertainment Center
So you're a UT Vols fan with a big yard... So you're a fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers and you have a big yard, this is how you show your pride... This yard was just outside of Kingston, TN as this yard slopes down to the Clinch River. Visible from the Highway 58 bridge over the river. It's football time in Tennessee... Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/true-tn-2/ 15 Things Only Those From Tennessee Know To Be True
High Jump Biker This was part of the "Rocketown Demo" at the 2006 Williamson County Fair. The guy on the ramp is standing on a milk crate holding a broom handle for the stunt bike rider to hurdle
Stunt Bike Demo High jump contest at the 2006 Williamson County Fair
Xtreme K-9's The Long-jumping Canine also caught a frisby tossed by the guy on the left, while sailing over the volunteer from the audience. This was one of the shows at the 2006 Williamson County Fair
What the Nashville Sounds are known for Despite winning the PCL championship last year, and getting a new downtown ballpark next year, this is what the Nashville Sounds are known for nationally. Their "Faith Night" games where the stadium giveaway is a bobblehead of a Bible Character. Jonah was given out at the June 16th game. Purity Dairies, another Quintessential Nashville company, was the title sponsor. The first 2000 people through the gates got one. Characters in the past include Samson, Moses and Noah, with no plans to ever make a Jesus bobble. More info can be found in this NPR article. This photo has been included in the Schmap Travel Guide for Nashville. You have to download the Schmap player to see it. More information can be found HERE. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.bobble--heads.com/bobblesphere/2006/06/kid-posted-pho... Or here: www.nowpublic.com/pray_ball Or here: www.musiccitybloggers.com/2007/12/06/i-cant-tell-you-what... Or here: hroman.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/the-paradox-of-the-chocol... Or on the new Nashvillest blog: nashvillest.com/2008/05/15/almost-friday-nashville-sounds...
Retired Numbers at Camden Yards No. 8 for Cal Ripken Jr., and others can be seen in front of the Oriole Park ticket booths. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.cpasuccess.com/2007/07/on-hall-of-fame.html
Jason Conti, runner, and Prince Fielder, 1st Baseman
Ian Kinsler This photo was taken in 2005 when Kinsler was still in AAA playing for the Oklahoma Redhawks in a playoff game in Nashville vs. the Sounds. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: bugsandcranks.com/toronto-blue-jays/the-bj-mixtapes-volum... The day that Kinsler was in the 2008 MLB All-star game, this photo got 250 views.
It's time for Baseball! It's that time of year. This is the back of the large clock atop the camden Yards scoreboard - as seen from the stadium entrance.
A Train goes by the Coliseum I had no idea that those tracks between the Titans coliseum and the Cumberland river were still used, as I was crawling all over them earlier. This CSX train scooted backwards through the parking lot to join up with some train cars that lots of small bits of scrap iron. (the pieces came from that trashy eyesore you see when you cross the river on I-24.) I was standing on the Shelby St. Pedestrian Bridge, and you can barely see my gray car along the left edge. (Free parking space!)
Across the street from the Choo Choo Of course, the painted ad is a few years old. What I find odd is the busted out part of the brick knocks out the part that says the lookouts play at Engel Stadium. Downtown Chattanooga
Riverfront Stadium - 1980 This is a view of Riverfront Stadium, home of the Cincinnati Reds as seen in 1980. The Roebling Suspension Bridge is barely seen on the right. The Ohio River is in the background. This is taken from the observation deck on the Carew Tower.
Welcome. Looking up at one of the signs and lights at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio
When Pigs Fly....or Hurdle More piggy goodness from the 2005 Tennessee State Fair in Nashville, with Randall's Racing Pigs
Sweep. Great American Ballpark. Cincinnati Reds. 2004 sweep of the Texas Rangers
Tennessee State Fair - Diving Pig This diving pig was from the "Randall's Racing Pigs" show held at the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville this past september. Hello to anyone who found this on Nashvillest nashvillest.com/2009/04/30/happy-hour-everybody-panic-etc/ or here: clouda9-knows.blogspot.com/2009/08/come-to-community-fair...
Before the Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, 2001 In case you have never seen this before, to make room for the Great American Ballpark, seating sections of the outfield were removed, offering great views of construction, the Firstar Center and the Ohio River. This April 2001 game at Cinergy Field (aka Riverfront Stadium) was between the Reds and the New York Mets
Big Red Machine, Great American Ballpark This tribute to the Big Red Machine is one of the art pieces inside the Great American Ballpark, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pictured include Dave Concepcion in front, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, as well as the Roebling Suspension Bridge, PNC and Carew Tower. used at: www.hispanic-culture-online.com/tony-perez-biography.html and here on a story on Pete Rose: thecincinnatiman.com/2009/07/im-telling-you-right-now-pet...
Guitar scoreboard for the Nashville Sounds This is the guiter shaped scoreboard in the outfield of Greer Stadium for the Nashville Sounds. This picture was taken during the playoffs before they won the PCL championship Hello to anyone who found this picture Here: tomcampion.blogspot.com/2006/01/guitar-scoreboard-for-nas... or here: desafinados.es/la-guitarra-marcador-de-nashville/ or here: cardjunk-automatic.blogspot.com/2008/06/harry-spilman.html or here: www.homesnacks.net/41-photos-of-tennessee-that-will-make-... 41 Photos of Tennessee That Will Make You Want to Move There
